Doris M.B. Smith

Ms. Doris Marie Brown Smith, age 68, of 4007 Gloucester Drive, Hopewell, departed this life Saturday, Jan. 31, 2009, at her residence.

Doris was born Dec. 28, 1940, to Arthur Jones and to the late Lillie Lee Brown. In 1958 she was salutatorian class president at Carter G. Woodson High School, Hopewell, then went on to attend North Carolina Central University and later Virginia State University. After 23 years of employment Doris retired as a communications officer from Hopewell Bureau of Police. She was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church, City Point.

Ms. Smith leaves to cherish her memory: her daughter, Dawn Patrick (Brica) of High Point, N.C.; lifelong sister "friend," Nancy Flowers; her roommate/caregiver and friend of 30 years, Sheila Mertz; a granddaughter, Briawn Patrick; a grandson, Brica Patrick II; a host of other relatives and friends.

A funeral service will be held at noon Friday, Feb. 6, 2009, at First Baptist Church, City Point, with the Rev. Rudolph Dunbar officiating. The interment will be in the church cemetery. The family will assemble at the residence one hour prior to the service.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the staff of Turner-Bland Funeral Home, Hopewell, the Rev. William N. Bland Jr., funeral director; (804) 458-5357. Please send online condolences to www.blandenterprisesinc.com.